Versatile Flying Lead (VFL) Termhead System

ABSTRACT

A versatile flying lead (VHL) termination head system comprises an underwater vehicle interface, an interface plate, a termination frame, and an adjuster, disposed proximate the termination frame&#39;s connection end, which is configured to provide a configurable declination angle which sets a hang-off angle of a device connected to the interface plate with respect to the underwater vehicle interface. A subsea termination head may be manufactured and assembled by obtaining a predetermined set of standardized structural building blocks that fit together to form a complete termination frame which is as described herein, using the predetermined set of standardized structural building blocks to construct a subsea termination head from the predetermined set of standardized structural building blocks substantially in parallel and connecting the underwater vehicle interface to the frame at a predetermined angle using the adjuster.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/280,702 and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/632,714 entitled “Versatile Flying Lead (HFL) Termhead System” filed Oct. 20, 2018.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to subsea termination frames which can provide an interface to an underwater vehicle such as a remotely operated vehicle or an autonomously operated vehicle and their manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Subsea termination frames are typically welded or bolted structures with a fixed declination angle, preventing a custom frame designed for a particular client's requirement. These are also typically not able to be re-configured to rapidly meet various operation requirements.

Further, current manufacturing processes of subsea termination frames occur in a rigid, linear path. A parallel manufacturing process for subsea termination heads can allow the structural termination frame and the internals to be manufactured in parallel, reduce the total manufacturing time/cost for a subsea termination head.

FIGURES

The following figures are illustrative.

FIG. 1 is a plan view in partial perspective of a first exemplary embodiment of a versatile flying lead (VHL) termination head system;

FIG. 2 is a plan view in partial perspective of the first exemplary embodiment of the versatile flying lead (VHL) termination head system;

FIG. 3 are plan views in partial perspective of the first exemplary embodiment of the versatile flying lead (VHL) termination head system;

FIG. 4 are plan views in partial perspective of an the first exemplary embodiment of the versatile flying lead (VHL) termination head system illustrating various adjusted angles;

FIG. 5 is a plan view in partial perspective of a second exemplary embodiment of a versatile flying lead (VHL) termination head system;

FIG. 6 is a plan view in partial perspective of the second exemplary embodiment of a versatile flying lead (VHL) termination head system;

FIG. 7 is a plan view in partial perspective of the second exemplary embodiment of a versatile flying lead (VHL) termination head system illustrating various adjusted angles;

FIG. 8 is a further plan view in partial perspective of the first exemplary embodiment of a versatile flying lead (VHL) termination head system illustrating various adjusted angles;

FIG. 9 is a block diagrammatic view of a linear manufacturing process; and

FIG. 10 is a set of plan views in partial perspective illustrating a manufacturing process of the first exemplary embodiment of a versatile flying lead (VHL) termination head system using standard building blocks.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In its embodiments, versatile flying lead (VHL) termination head system 100 comprises underwater vehicle interface 110 which allows adjustability of a frame angle which further allows one termination head design to be used for various operation requirements. It also allows for use of standardized machined (non-fabricated) building blocks for a centralized spine of the disclosed termination frame which allows for part simplicity and remote manufacturing.

In various embodiments, parallel manufacturing of versatile flying lead (VHL) termination head system 100 may reduce manufacturing time and cost.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2 and 5, versatile flying lead (VHL) termination head system 100 comprises underwater vehicle interface 110 which can provide an interface to an underwater vehicle such as a remotely operated vehicle or an autonomously operated vehicle; interface plate 120 (shown in an embodiment having two halves, 120 a and 120 b); and a termination frame (130 and 140 in FIG. 2 or 210 in FIG. 5).

Interface plate 120 may further comprise upper interface plate 120 a removably connected to lower interface plate 120 b.

In embodiments the termination frames comprises a connection end (141 (FIG. 2) or 201 (FIG. 5)) connected to underwater vehicle interface 110; interface end (132 (FIG. 2) or 202 (FIG. 5)), the interface plate (120) connected to the interface end (202); and adjuster (131 (FIG. 2) or 231 (FIG. 5)) disposed proximate the connection end where the adjuster is configured to provide a configurable declination angle which sets a hang-off angle of a device connected to interface plate 120 with respect to underwater vehicle interface 110.

The configurable declination angle typically comprises a set of predetermined, distinct, configurable declination angles.

The device may comprise a typical underwater component such as subsea umbilical (10) or a cable.

In embodiments, the adjuster (131 (FIG. 2) or 231 (FIG. 5)) may comprise a fastener, a threaded rod, a gear and pinion, and/or a drive screw. If a fastener is present, the fastener may comprise a bolt (similar to pins 132) and underwater vehicle interface 110 may further comprise bracket 111 which comprises one or more bolt receivers.

Underwater vehicle interface 110 typically comprises remotely operated vehicle bucket (150).

In certain embodiments, a conduit (not shown the figures) may be present and connected to interface plate 120 and/or underwater vehicle interface 110.

In embodiments, underwater vehicle interface 110 comprises removable plate 112 and may further comprise remotely operated vehicle bucket 150.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, in an embodiment the termination frame comprises lower termination frame plate 130 which comprises interface end 132 and upper termination frame plate 140 operatively connected to lower termination frame plate 130, where upper termination frame plate 140 comprises connection end 141. In this embodiment, lower termination plate 130 typically comprises first adjuster portion 131 a and upper termination plate 140 comprises second adjuster portion 131 b. First adjuster portion 131 a may comprise latch 132 or latch receiver 133. Second adjuster portion 131 b comprises either latch receiver 133 configured to removably receive latch 132 if first adjuster portion comprises latch 132 or latch 132 configured to be removably received into latch receiver 133 if first adjuster portion 131 comprises latch receiver 133. In either of these configurations, latch 132 may comprise a set of pins 134 and latch receiver 133 may comprise a set of pin receivers 135, that correspond to a predetermined subset of the set of pins 134. Note that not all pins 134 or pin receivers 135 have callouts in the figures.

In these embodiments, interface plate 120 is typically connected to lower termination plate 130 at an end of lower termination plate 130 opposite from an end of lower termination plate 130 where underwater vehicle interface 110 is disposed. Further, interface plate 121 may be present and disposed intermediate interface plate 120 and lower termination frame plate 130 where interface plate 121 is connected to interface plate 120 and lower termination frame plate 130. Interface plate 121 may further comprise interface plate mounting support 122 configured to connect interface plate 121 to lower termination frame plate 130.

In these embodiments, a set of lower frame covers 110 a may be present and connected to lower termination frame plate 130. Further, a set of upper frame covers 110 b may be present and connected to upper termination frame plate 140 where the set of upper frame covers 110 b is configured to slidably interface with the set of lower frame covers 110 a.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, in other contemplated embodiments the termination frame comprises termination frame plate 210, connection end 201 connected to underwater vehicle interface 110; and interface end 202 connected to interface plate 120.

Further, connection end 201 may comprise a predetermined set of connector receivers 204 and underwater vehicle interface 110 may comprise bracket 111 which comprises a predetermined set of bracket receivers adapted to align with a predetermined subset of the predetermined set of connector receivers 204. Adjuster 231 typically comprises a predetermined set of fasteners 232 adapted to be received through the predetermined set of bracket receivers and their aligned predetermined subset of the predetermined set of connector receivers.

In these embodiments, fasteners typically comprise bolt 232 and nut 233 adapted to thread onto bolt 232.

In the operation of exemplary embodiments, a versatile flying lead (VHL) subsea termination head system 100 may be manufactured and assembled by obtaining a predetermined set of standardized structural building blocks that fit together to form a complete termination frame, where the termination frame is as described above in its various embodiments. The predetermined set of standardized structural building blocks may be used to construct the versatile flying lead (VHL) subsea termination head system 100 from the predetermined set of standardized structural building blocks substantially in parallel.

Underwater vehicle interface 110 may be connected to the termination frame at a predetermined angle using the adjuster (131 (FIG. 2) or 231 (FIG. 5)). Typically, the termination frame may be constructed and tested where the constructing and testing coincide separately and the termination frame and its internals fitted together to form the completed versatile flying lead (VHL) subsea termination head system 100. These internals may comprise a tubing, a coupler, or a connector, or the like, or a combination thereof. Standardized components may be used such that individual sets of components are manufactured and tested at different facilities and then combined together to form completed versatile flying lead (VHL) subsea termination head system 100.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate how versatile flying lead (VHL) subsea termination head system 100 may be configured in its declination angle. As illustrated, one of ordinary skill in these arts can see how the declination angle of the termination frame sets the hang-off angle of an attached subsea umbilical or cable.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 9-10, the manufacturing process described above provides for the construction and assembly of versatile flying lead (VHL) subsea termination head system 100 utilizing standardized structural building blocks that fit together to form the complete termination frame, resulting in a flexibility which allows for parallel and remote manufacturing processes. As illustrated in FIG. 9, manufacturing of subsea termination frames currently occurs along a rigid linear path. Parallel manufacturing allows the construction/testing of the structural termination frame and its internals (tubings, couplers, connectors such as illustrated in FIG. 10) to coincide separately, and then fitted together to form the completed termination head assembly. Remote manufacturing is where the building blocks are standardized so that individual blocks can be manufactured/tested at different facilities and then combined together to form the complete structural termination frame.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the inventions are illustrative and explanatory. Various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrative construction and/or an illustrative method may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A method of manufacturing and assembling a subsea termination head, comprising: a. obtaining a predetermined set of standardized structural building blocks that fit together to form a complete termination frame, the termination frame comprising: i. a termination frame plate; ii. an interface plate configured to be connected to the frame; and iii. an underwater vehicle interface configured to be adjustably connected to the frame; and iv. an adjuster; b. using the predetermined set of standardized structural building blocks to construct a subsea termination head from the predetermined set of standardized structural building blocks substantially in parallel; and c. connecting the underwater vehicle interface to the frame at a predetermined angle using the adjuster.
 2. The method of manufacturing and assembling a subsea termination head of claim 1, the termination frame comprising a predetermined set of internals, the method further comprising: a. constructing and testing the termination frame, the constructing and testing coinciding separately; and b. fitting the termination frame and its internals together to form the completed termination head assembly.
 3. The method of manufacturing and assembling a subsea termination head of claim 2, wherein the internals comprise a tubing, a coupler, or a connector.
 4. The method of manufacturing and assembling a subsea termination head of claim 2, further comprising using standardized components such that individual sets of components are manufactured and tested at different facilities and then combined together to form the termination frame.
 5. The method of manufacturing and assembling a subsea termination head of claim 1, wherein: a. the interface plate further comprises: i. an upper interface plate; and ii. a lower interface plate removably connected to the upper interface plate; b. the termination frame further comprises: i. a connection end connected to the underwater vehicle interface; and ii. an interface end, the interface plate connected to the interface end; and c. the adjuster comprises an adjuster disposed proximate the connection end, the adjuster configured to provide a configurable declination angle which sets a hang-off angle of a device connected to the interface plate.
 6. The method of manufacturing and assembling a subsea termination head of claim 1, wherein the termination frame comprises: a. a frame, comprising: i. a lower termination frame plate; and ii. an upper termination frame plate operatively connected to the lower termination frame plate operatively in communication with the an underwater vehicle interface; and b. the adjuster is operatively in communication with the upper termination frame plate and the lower termination plate, the adjuster operative to adjustably set an angle of a connection of the upper termination frame plate to the lower termination plate. 